Compiled from the Daily Advertiser
by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society
25 Years Ago
- Austexx Investments, the new owner of Wagga’s Sturt Mall has submitted plans for a $10 million redevelopment of the shopping centre.
- NRMA regional manager Michael Wynn said that home burglary claims in Wagga had increased by 53% compared to the previous year.
- Mayor John Harding said that a decision to move the Australian Clay Target Association headquarters to Wagga from Mount Waverley in Victoria is likely to inject millions of dollars into the local economy.
- More than 30 factory workers at Wagga’s Murrumbidgee Flour Mill joined a state-wide strike and set up a picket line outside the Edward Street mill.
- The Christian Formation Centre at San Isadore was sold for an undisclosed sum after it was passed in at auction for $110,000. It will be improved and updated by the new owner, who is planning to continue to use it as a hostel and budget accommodation.
- Wagga Stamp Club president Peter Simpfendorfer is pictured in the Daily Advertiser at the annual stamp coin and phone card fair at Sturt Public School.
- Worshippers spilled into the street outside St Michaels Cathedral as they gathered to be blessed by faith healer, Father Peter Mary Rookey.
- Pat’s Tyre Service and proprietor, Pat Fitzpatrick have been awarded the Yokohama dealer of the Year for NSW.
- President of the Wagga branch of the Ulysses Motorcycle group, Kevin Cutting was one of the first to donate blood as part of the Summer Blood Challenge between motorcyclists and police.
- Athol Price, Wagga City Leagues Bowling Clubs’ only surviving life member is pictured in the Daily Advertiser preparing for the club’s annual triples match.
- Reverend Gail Tabor, 57, has been appointed as the new Anglican chaplain to Wagga Base Hospital.
- Council’s Manager of cultural services, Kirstie Davies, said that 14 people had attended a meeting to discuss the formation of a cultural plan for Wagga.
- Mikaylie Wilson, Belinda King, Anna Richardson, and Erin Winchester are pictured in the Daily Advertiser attending the Kooringal High School Year 12 graduation Ball at the Wagga RSL Club.
- Diana Dean, Lyndall Adcock, and Carmel Skinner were among 106 medical receptionists who attended a Christmas party at the Water Boat Club.
- Megan Curie was announced as the players player this season in the Riverina Redbacks softball side.
50 Years Ago
- Local Member and former Minister for Defence, Mr. David Fairbairn has retained the seat of Farrar in the federal election despite a record swing of 14% against him.
- Wagga City Council is undertaking a road resurfacing programme to upgrade some of the rougher roads.
- Members of the Independent Inquiry into the Repatriation System, visiting Wagga, were most impressed with the standard of medical facilities available.
- 400 National Servicemen and 50 regular soldiers “marched out” after completing their ten weeks of basic training at Kapooka.
- Hundreds of Wagga and district people attended both day and night sessions of the big Wagga Rodeo at the Eric Wiesel Oval.
- Knights Meats in Baylis and Gurwood Streets are advertising delicious sugar-cured Christmas Hams for 75 cents per lb.
- Santa Claus visited the family centre to have breakfast with some of the children at the store including Leslie Korn, Joanne Southeren, and Bridget Howard.
- An estimated crowd of more than 2000 people attended the Wagga Base Hospital fete in the hospital grounds which resulted in a profit of $1800.
- Patients in the Haven nursing home were treated to a rendition of Christmas carols by about 70 students from South Wagga Primary school.
- The staff and board members of the Wagga Technical College held a Christmas luncheon at the Wagga RSL Club.
- Five Wagga nurses, Anne Phillips, Doree Kroker, M A Turner, Margaret Crombie, and Carmel Teal are the first graduates in a new sterilisation technology course.
- Australian Estates are advertising for sale a handmade “Colonial” Model Spinning Wheel.
- Barbara Nye, Mrs V Nye, and Mrs Roslyn Taylor are pictured in the Daily Advertiser attending the Thirty and Under Art Exhibition currently on display at the Wollundry Galleries in Tarcutta Street.
- Bookings are now open for Christmas Dinner at Romanos Hotel.
- Edmondson’s is advertising Pal meat for dogs 17 cents per 4¼ oz tin, Number 8 frozen chickens for $1.35, and Golden Circle pineapple pieces 19 cents for a 15oz tin.
Membership of the Wagga Wagga and District Historical Society is open to anyone with an interest in the local and regional history of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia. For more information about us and information on how to join our Society visit our website at https://www.wwdhs.org.au/about-us/members
